CHRONOLOGY CORRESPONDENCE SUMMARY

Closely resembles the final indoor public tennis facility.
 (A pre-engineered steel building)

• Internet research re the requirements for an indoor tennis facility

• Many Companies contacted directly to firm up the requirements for an indoor tennis facility. The major players included:

  • Olympia Steel Buildings (Provided a preliminary building design)

  • Plexipave

  • Courtlite Lighting

2008

• January: Funding request: Met with Nova Scotia, Health Promotion and Protection, Physical Activity, Sport & Recreation, to determined our requirements for submitting a funding request  re our project  to construct a facility

• May 2: Canada Revenue Agency, Charities Directorate, qualified us as a registered charity: BN 848036968RR0001

• May 13: Harbourside Commercial Park (Sydney) contacted to explore the possibility of constructing a facility on its property

• May 14: Malcolm Gillis (Planning Department), CBRM, contacted re our project to construct a facility

• May 17: Cape Breton University contacted to obtain property or building(s), or a long-term lease (10 years) to a parcel of land or building(s)

• June 3: Cape Breton Regional Municipal contacted to obtain property or building(s), or a long-term lease (10 years) to a parcel of land or building(s)

• June 3: Meeting with Malcolm Gillis (Planning Department), CBRM, contacted re our project to construct a facility (Discussed: CBRM leasing policy, Bi-Centennial Gym, Rotary Park, Louisa Gardens, Coxheath, Steel Plant, etc.)

• June 24: Green Link Society (Rotary Park) contacted to obtain property or building(s), or a long-term lease (10 years) to a parcel of land or building(s)

• June 24: Kenneth L. Smith MCIP Planner, Property Management Services, CBRM, contacted re our project to construct a facility 

• June 26: Lindsay Mills, Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, contacted re our project to build a facility

• June 26: Gary Campbell, Nova Scotia Lands, contacted re our request to project to build a facility on Harbourside property

• July 22: Cape Breton Provincial MLAs and Premier's office alerted of our project  to construct a facility

• July 29: Building Canada Fund, Communities Component (BCF-CC), contacted re our project to construct a facility

• August 3: Sydport Operations Inc. (Laurentian Energy Corp) contacted to obtain property or building(s), or a long-term lease (10 years) to a parcel of land or building(s)

• August 5: All Cape Britain Federal politicians alerted of our project to construct a facility

• August 5: Annette Verschuren  sent an individual alert re our project to construct a facility

• August 9: Cape Breton Development Corporation contacted to obtain property or building(s), or a long-term lease (10 years) to a parcel of land or building(s)

• August 9: Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board contacted to obtain property or building(s), or a long-term lease (10 years) to a parcel of land or building(s)

• August 9: Director of Finance, Cape Breton Regional Municipality, contacted re the project to build a facility

• October 5: Funding request to Douglas Parker Rudderham, President & CEO, Pharmacy Wholesale Services Inc., re our project to construct a facility  

• November 6: Sydney Airport Authority contacted to obtain property or building(s), or a long-term lease (10 years) to a parcel of land or building(s)

• November 21: Funding request: Notice to the Nova Scotia, Health Promotion and Protection, Physical Activity, Sport & Recreation, "Recreation Facility Development Capital Grant Programme" that we will submit a funding request  re our project  to construct a facility

• December 15: Meeting with the CEO of the Sydney Airport Authority, confirmed that a December 5 meeting of his board had agreed to lease land to us for our project

• December 17: Malcolm Gillis (Planning Department), CBRM , updated on our progress

• December 17: Funding request: Meeting with Douglas Parker Rudderham, President & CEO, Pharmacy Wholesale Services Inc. re funding our project to construct a facility  was arranged (meeting never took place)

• December 18: We applied to and were accepted by the Charity CanadaHelps.org as the organization to handle the taking of our general donations

• December 19: MLA Alfie MacLeod contacted re our project to construct a facility

• December 19: Jamie Gillis (Building Official ), CBRM, contacted re our project to construct a facility  with Malcolm Gillis (Planning Department), CBRM in the loop

• December 20: Joneljim Concrete Construction (1994) Limited contacted re our project to build a facility

• December: Wayne Lattimer, contractor contacted re our project to build a facility

• December 23: Councillor Jim MacLeod reminded of our project to construct a facility

• December 24: Councillor Tom Wilson alerted of our project to construct a facility re a request that the Public Services Committee of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) Council endorse our project

• December 23: Helen MacCoy, Cape Breton Post, contacted, requesting any help that the Post could suggest in advertising our proposed facility

2009

• January 3: Mention of the Cromarty Community Indoor Tennis Centre in the Cape Breton Post, "Between the Lines"

• January 5: YMCA (Sydney) contacted re future possibility of partnering on programmes

• January 8: Eascan Building Systems and Eastern Canadian Structures (Truro) agreed to provide us with preliminary building designs

• January 20: Cape Breton Post article, based on an interview, published: "Indoor Tennis Group "Shovel Ready"

• January 21: Spartan Athletic Products (Novacrylic Sport Surfaces) contacted re our project to construct a facility

• January 22: Maine Tennis & Track contacted re our project to construct a facility

• January 24: Funding request to Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Secretariat, Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, re our project to build a facility

• January 27: Funding request to CBRM Recreation (Fred Brooks) re our project  to construct a facility

• January 29:  Funding request to CBRM Recreation (Fred Brooks) re our project  to construct a facility rejected

• January 29: Public Services Committee of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) council endorses our project

• February 2: Funding submission  to Nova Scotia, Health Promotion and Protection, Physical Activity, Sport & Recreation, "Recreation Facility Development Capital Grant Programme" re our project  to construct a facility (Immediately  withdrawn since our application contained pending items)

• February 2: Pre-Programme Funding submission to Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC)  re our project  to construct a facility

• February 4: Funding submission  to Nova Scotia, Health Promotion and Protection, Recreation Facility Development,  "Capital Grant Programme" withdrawn since our application contained pending items

• February 4: Spyro Trifos, Trifos Design Consultants, contacted re a professional engineering study and investigation report

• February 11: CB Senator Michael L MacDonald alerted of our project to build a facility

• February 15: H-Mac Systems (Modine MT High Intensity Infrared heaters) contacted re our project to build a facility

• February 16: Meeting with Spyro Trifos, Trifos Design Consultants, re a professional engineering study and investigation report

• February 16: ICA Lighting Systems (T5 fluorescent blue light technology) contacted re our project to build a facility

• February 17: Lorne E. Martin, CBCL Limited, contacted re the cost of a professional engineering study and investigation report

• February 19: Cromarty Community Indoor Tennis Centre Pre-Construction Report issued (Based on e-mails sent to numerous companies and on internet research)

• February 25: Lorne E. Martin, CBCL Limited, provided cost estimates for our total project and for a professional engineering study and investigation report

• March 2: Funding request to Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) re our project  to construct a facility

• March 8: Cape Breton Provincial MLAs and Premier's office alerted of our project  to construct a facility

• March 11: Letter to the editor sent the Cape Breton Post: "Indoor Tennis Project Has A Foot In Both Camps"

• March 17: Meeting with Mark Eyking (Liberal) re our project  to construct a facility

• March 24: Gordie Gosse (NDP) contacted re our project to construct a facility (Received his telephone support for our project)

• March 31: Funding request to Mike Tobin re the Junior Development Programme component included in our project to build a facility

• May 20: Funding request: Met with Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation  re Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) funding for our project to build a facility

• August 31: Funding request rejected by Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation re Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) funding

• August 31: Funding request to Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations (Grants and Programs) for $70,000 maximum for a professional engineering study and investigation report

• September 30: Funding request to True Sport Foundation for funding of $70,000 maximum for a professional engineering study and investigation report

• October: Paul Morrison, owner of the Coxheath Tennis grounds property contacted re our project to build a facility

• January 14: CBRM Engineering and Public Works contacted for help with producing a professional engineering study and investigation report

• February 10: Manning MacDonald contacted to alert him of our project  to construct a facility

• April 13: Outdoor Cromarty Tennis Club motion passed endorsing our project

• April 16: Funding request to the NS Provincial Department of Seniors for funding of $70,000 maximum for a professional engineering study and investigation report

• April 21: We requested and received a free club membership  and web listing with Tennis Nova Scotia

• April 22: Number of charitable foundations, etc. contacted re whether they would be in a position to fund fully or partially the $70,000 cost for the requisite architectural and engineering design study: They included

  • Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Foundation

  • Red Letter Philanthropy Counsel (Atlantic) Ltd

  • The Home Depot Canada Foundation

  • Canfor Canadian Forest Products Ltd

  • Sears

  • ArcelorMittal Dofasco

  • Canadian National, KidSport™ Canada

  • Canon Canada Inc.

  • Department of Canadian Heritage Sport Canada

  • Manulife Financial Corporate Giving Committee

  • Sports Canada

  • Irving Oil

• May 13: Jerry Ryan, John Whalley, Doug Foster, and Fred Brooks of CBRM receive a copy of the CCITC response to the Recreation Component of 2010 CBRM ICSP Report (Integrated Community Sustainability Plan) where we strongly urge the construction of an indoor tennis facility to advance CBRM sustainable goals.

• August 18: Measured the three existing, municipal-run side-by-side outdoor courts in Coxheath as a possible location for a single steel building.

• c. August 24: Meet with Membertou re the possibility of adding two indoor tennis courts within the building they are planning for two hockey rinks. The response was positive and serious, and dependant on them receiving additional funding.

• December 14: Received a response to a letter of mine from Andrew Oxner, the President of Tennis Nova Scotia: "as a member of the committee trying to establish a not for profit indoor facility in HRM. I have briefly reviewed your website and there is a wealth of information there that I will take some time to review over the next few days. Tennis Nova Scotia is very excited about the prospect of indoor tennis in Sydney and your groups efforts look substantial and are to be applauded. Our projects seem similar in that we are both trying to establish not-for- profit facilities that are accessible to the community.

2012

• February 12: Attended, as an invited representative (Chair) of the CCITC (Cromarty Community Indoor Tennis Centre) an executive meeting of the outdoor Cromarty Tennis Club. They were quite enthusiastic and want to support the CCITC in all ways possible including sending members to a proposed public meeting re the use of the former tar pond property and the TP2 building (Draft Interpretive Master Plan for the Sydney Tar Ponds and Coke Ovens Remediation Project)

• February 15: Attended the public meeting re the use of the former tar pond property and the TP2 building. I was interviewed by Wendy Martin, CBC, Information Morning.

• February 28: Visited the TP2 building, Tar Ponds, as a possible location for two indoor tennis courts. Found it to be perfectly suitable.

• March 9: Contacted Eastlink, Marketing Department, re their possible funding of our charitable initiative.

• July 18: Sent an e-mail to Gary Campbell, President, Harbourside Commercial Park Inc.:" As you may be aware, the CCITC was one of the groups, during the consultation process, which indicated an interest in using the TP2 building as an indoor tennis facility. My understanding that "the results of the assessment of retrofitting the TP2 facility was given to the Provincial and Federal Project Partners and based on the anticipated costs for any feasible and sustainable use of the building, ... it is no longer part of the park development because the current budget is not adequate for the retrofit of the building for any other use than designed ..." Being that this STPA area is leased, I am assuming then that this property will thus be returned to the Province in the near future. If so, I am also assuming then that this property and the TP2 building upon which it stands may come under the control of the Harbourside Commercial Park. If so, and before you make any final decision as to the future use of the TP2 structure, the CCITC would like to make its strong case to you, as President of the Harbourside Commercial Park, for its use as an indoor tennis facility (2 full sized courts plus small practice courts for children, etc.) ..."

• July 27: Tennis Canada (Christophe Lambert, Dereck Strang) contacted, asking for their support in our attempt to secure the TP2 building as a permanent facility for indoor tennis

• September 28: Councillor Tom Wilson to contact Gary Campbell to further our earlier attempts to obtain the TP2 Building as a permanent indoor Tennis Facility

2014

• December 21: At a meeting at the Cromarty Tennis Club: Dr. Sivakumar Annamalai delivered a presentation outlining his strong support for a permanent indoor tennis facility which he wants to see operating as soon as possible here in Sydney. Siva presented a number scenarios that he thought should be pursued, and several in attendance have agreed to help him in identifying the best way to achieve this goal - whether through the purchase, lease, or construction of a facility. Siva wants to give back to society, and is willing to provide financial support in a meaningful way.

2015

• January 9: At a meeting at the home of Dr. Sivakumar Annamalai: Explored were all the possible sites for a permanent indoor tennis facility (2 courts preferred), including Cromarty (structure over courts 1-2), Bi-Centennial Gym, Coxheath Recreation Park, Harbourside Commercial Recreation Park, Canada Games Complex, and the Airport Authority. But the surprise of the night: A single court  $500,000 Joneljim designed turnkey facility at the Cape Breton County Arena (Coxheath) was placed on the table as a possibility that the mayor might support. Councillor Eldon MacDonald was then tasked to see if he could arrange a meeting with the mayor.

• February 2: Don MacKinnon's correspondence with Harbourside Commercial Recreation Park has revealed  that it would accept a steel structure at two locations, one being at the former Coke Ovens site, and the other, not where the present tennis court exists, but elsewhere,at the beginning to the park.

• February 4: Don MacKinnon's correspondence with Genesee & Wyoming Railway revealed that land there is unavailable.

• February 10: Don MacKinnon's correspondence with the former St. Andrew church revealed that the gym has been leased and is unavailable to us.

• February 10: Don MacKinnon's correspondence with the DND armories revealed the drill hall is unavailable to us because of the number of hours that we require.

• February 19: Don MacKinnon and Eric Krause visited St. George’s Hall  and determined it unsuitable.

• February 19: Don MacKinnon identified two possibilities at: Sydport Industrial Park, presently in use as a storage building for vehicles, could become available to us under a five year lease. The owner of the building is Mr. Joe Boudreau AND Farmers Market on Keltic Drive. I was put in touch with Mr. Dave MacLeod, a businessman with land and properties at the Farmers Market area. - Information made available to Dr. Sivakumar Annamalai.

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